My OC

BOS1 - Fill Out and Send in Census Forms

Supervisor Janet Nguyen Encourages Residents
to Fill Out and Send in Census Forms

(Santa Ana) Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, is encouraging all residents to fill out and send in their U.S. Census forms if they have yet to do so.

The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year. These funds are used for hospitals, senior centers, job training centers, schools, public works projects such as roads, bridges and tunnels and emergency services. The data collected by the census also helps to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Just answer the 10 short questions and mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided,” said Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that people return their Census forms to ensure that Orange County receives its fair share of Federal funding.”

The U.S. Census is required by the Constitution and must take place every 10 years. In Article I, Section 2, the Constitution states, “The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct.”

The Census seeks to count every resident in the United States, both citizens and non-citizens alike. In order to perform this count, the Census Bureau delivers a short, 10-question form to every household in the U.S. This form is filled out to account for everyone living at a particular address and a prepaid envelope is provided so it can be returned at no cost to those filling it out.

With a return rate of 73%, Orange County ranks slightly higher than both the National Census form return rate of 72% and the California return rate of 71%. Currently, the city of Santa Ana is at 67%, the city of Westminster is at 75% and the city of Garden Grove has a return rate of 76%.

“I want to see each city reach 100%,” said Supervisor Nguyen. “Participation in the census is important to you, your family and your community. By answering the 10 simple survey questions, you will help Orange County maintain its public services.”

Supervisor Janet Nguyen serves as Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and represents the First District. She also serves as Chair of the OCTA’s Transit Committee. She represents more than 600,000 people, covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City. Orange County ranks sixth in the nation as the most populous county and has the nation’s seventh highest annual budget.